Equestrian campers near Clarksburg, West Virginia can access more than 20 miles of bridle trails through the Wayne National Forest at the Kinderhook Horse Trail. The trailhead sits at approximately 700 feet elevation in southeast Ohio's deciduous forest region, characterized by humid summers and moderate winters. The horse-focused camping area features a gravel parking lot designed to accommodate trailers with sufficient room for unloading and staging equipment.
What to do
Trail riding access points: Kinderhook Horse Trail offers multiple route options with the Paw Paw trail being particularly well-maintained. According to one visitor, "The Paw Paw trail was very smooth, dry and wide. The trail leads to the top of the hill," while noting that "The Kinderhook trail was overgrown."
Waterfall exploration: At Holly River State Park, visitors can discover multiple cascades within an easy drive of the main campground. One camper details, "This park has lots of hiking trails, waterfalls, biking, fishing, and horseback riding. The park has a total of 4 waterfalls to explore." Located about 60 miles southeast of Clarksburg, the park offers a full day of waterfall activities.
Mountain biking options: The Camp Creek State Park trail system provides excellent cycling terrain with varied difficulty levels. A recent visitor shares, "I decided to ride my mountainbike to the top of 'Neely Knob.' It was quite a climb! I came down the east side of Bear Marsh and found out quickly that there were water crossings and deep mud sections."
Creek swimming spots: Many camping areas feature natural swimming holes, though visitors should exercise caution on slippery surfaces. One camper at Camp Creek warns, "BEWARE it is extremely slippery. The brown algae makes it very slick and no shoe will handle it. There's no real entrance to the water to swim. We literally had to slide down like a water slide."
What campers like
Riverside camping experience: Several campgrounds offer sites directly adjacent to flowing water, creating natural white noise. At Revelle's River Resort, about 85 miles east of Clarksburg, campers appreciate the proximity to water. One review notes, "We had a camp site that was right against the river with full hookups. This seemed to be a well laid out campground with sites for weekenders in maybe the best location right along the river."
High-elevation forest setting: Kumbrabow State Forest, situated at 3,000 feet elevation, offers a cooler camping environment. A visitor explains, "It's located at 3,000 feet above sea level on the western edge of the Allegheny Highlands, so it's the highest state forest in West Virginia." This distinctive feature creates a refreshing summer retreat approximately 60 miles from Clarksburg.
Clean, well-maintained facilities: Despite the primitive nature of equestrian camping sites, many visitors appreciate attention to basic needs. At Kinderhook Horse Trail, one camper notes, "Nice clean area just off main road. Has no flush vault toilet," while another mentions that "The bathroom was clean, but the 'non-flush' toilet was just gross."
Affordability factor: Free and low-cost camping options exist throughout the region. One camper at Kinderhook Trailhead reported, "Stayed: 9/6/2020 - FREE," appreciating that "One vault toilet and perfect AT&T and Sprint cell service" were available despite no fee.
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Many campgrounds in the area have limited operating seasons due to weather conditions. At Holly River, one camper observed, "Every morning and every night it rained which made it difficult to swim and fish. The park workers said this is common year round." Plan accordingly with proper rain gear and waterproof storage.
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies significantly across the region's campgrounds. At Elk River Camp and RV Park, located about 50 miles from Clarksburg, visitors have reported stronger signals, while Holly River campers note, "There was no phone signal at all for Verizon service, so a nice place to disconnect."
Access road challenges: Many horse-friendly campgrounds require driving on unpaved roads. One Kumbrabow visitor warned of "Hard to access, need 4 wheel drive and GPS, good sense of direction," while another noted "Access is by about 6 miles of dirt/rock road."
Limited site privacy: At Kinderhook Horse Trail, the campground layout offers minimal seclusion. A camper observed, "The site itself is quite nice, with access to toilets and picnic tables. However, it also seems to be a spot locals visit quite a bit. I've had two cars drive in after sunset who have just sat around for a bit then left."
Tips for camping with families
Activity planning: Horse-focused campgrounds offer unique experiences for children. At Holly River State Park, one family discovered, "This campground has plenty to offer for the whole family. They have basketball, tennis, and volleyball courts, and a pool for campers to enjoy."
Site selection strategy: When horseback camping with children, choose locations with adequate space. At Kinderhook, a visitor advises, "Nice small trailhead area... Can camp here in certain spots. Not much area to camp. No fire rings, one picnic table. Definitely only for very small camper, car camp, or tent, small group."
Weather preparedness: The region's variable conditions require extra planning for family comfort. At Kumbrabow State Forest, campers note the site's "Beautiful tent sites along the creek!" but recommend visiting "in late spring when the rhododendrons would be in bloom" for optimal conditions.
Safety considerations: When bringing children to water features, be aware of hazards. A Camp Creek visitor warns, "When we got down there the water was freezing cold and we had to get out which was very very difficult. There is only a STEEP bank."
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Most equestrian camping areas near Clarksburg offer limited RV amenities. At Kinderhook Trailhead, a visitor notes the primitive conditions: "There's not a ton of room, but I'd say another 5 sites could setup and be somewhat spread out. It is an open area, so there wouldn't be physical privacy, although the tall trees provide shade."
Trailer access considerations: Horse trailer parking requires special attention to dimensions and turning radius. Elk River Camp visitors report, "Narrow gravel road to get to the newly developed portion of campground," and another noted their "42' 5th wheel drug bumper to/from campground."
Supply planning: Remote equestrian camping locations require self-sufficiency. A Camp Creek camper advises, "Make sure to come early also to visit the campground office to get your firewood! The nearest store is very far. We had to go all the way to Tractor supply in Beckley because we came too late."
Utility limitations: Most horse-focused camping areas offer minimal services. Elk River Camp provides "50 amp hook-up, Water, Sewer," while Kinderhook has "No hook-ups of any kind" but "Does have a small hand pump water spigot."
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